Ebola: Is There Cause for Concern in Bell County?

by Ashley Sanchez

Active post-arrival monitoring will begin today for those travelers whose travel originates
from the Ebola-affected nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea according to a press release
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Enhanced layers of entry screening began October 11th, at five major U.S. airports
according to a statement released by the CDC on October 8th. The airports undergoing this
increased protocol, receive over 94 percent of travelers from the Ebola-affected nations of
Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
The announcement came just hours after the first patient diagnosed with Ebola Virus
Disease in the U.S., Thomas Eric Duncan, died at 7:51 a.m., according to Texas Health
Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.
Previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, EVD is caused by a virus. Signs and
symptoms include a fever greater than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea, vomiting, severe
headache, muscle and abdominal pain, and extraordinary bleeding or bruising.
Symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 21 days following exposure. The average,
however, is typically eight to ten days. The period between infection and symptom occurrence is
what is referred to as the incubation period. The virus cannot be spread until these symptoms
occur.
The disease is not airborne, nor can it be spread by water. Ebola is spread through direct
contact with blood or body fluids, including but not limited to urine, saliva, and vomit, of a

person who is sick. It can also be spread through objects, such as needles and syringes that have
been contaminated with the virus.
At this time, local and public health officials have identified all close contacts of Duncan,
definitive and possible, a total of 48 persons. These contacts are being monitored daily for 21
days following their initial exposure. No symptoms have yet been reported.
In light of his death, questions as to why Duncan was initially released and whether his
delayed admittance put others and himself at a higher risk have been raised. The readiness of
U.S. hospitals has also been called into question.
Duncan, 42, had been in the U.S. approximately four days, before he began showing
symptoms on September 24.
A Health Advisory issued by the CDC to state and local health officials noted that the
patient had sought medical care on September 26, was treated and released. It wasnt until two
days later that Duncan was admitted and put into isolation. CDC confirmed it was Ebola on
September 30.
The Health Advisory also called for increased vigilance, in regard to obtaining patient
travel history when EVD symptoms are present. While a Health Advisory may not require
immediate action, both medical and public health officials throughout the country have been
preparing to respond, should the need arise.
According to Bonnie J. Scurzi, the Director of the Bell County Public Health District, at
this point, there is no immediate cause for concern. The positive result on the patient in Texas

does not represent an increased risk to the general community. Health officials are, however,
taking extra precautions. They are not the only ones.
The enhanced entry screenings at five U.S. airports, beginning with New Yorks JFK
International Airport, are another preventative measure being taken against the spread of Ebola
into the U.S.
Travelers from Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia will be given information regarding
EVD, its symptoms, and what to do should passengers develop any of these symptoms.
Travelers are also subject to undergo additional screenings upon entry into the U.S.
These screenings include questioning, taking temperatures, and observing for any other EVD
symptoms. Any traveler showing symptoms such as a fever, or having been exposed to the virus
will be further evaluated and CDC will determine the next course of action.
These new security measures will give us the ability to isolate, evaluate and monitor
travelers as needed, stated President Barack Obama in a conference call with state and local
officials on October 8. Im confident that so long as we work together, and were operating
with an appropriate sense of urgency that we will prevent an outbreak from happening here.